Recently, while praying with my two youngest children, I heard my 5 year old quietly, in agreement say, “yes,” and then repeat it again, “yes.” Since she had never done this before during a prayer, it took me by surprise. However, once the prayer was over, she quickly informed me that that is what Pop (my dad) did while I led in prayer at church.

Because of his ministerial duties, my dad has only been able to worship with us one time in the last couple of years; but, that one time was all that was needed to get the attention of and make a small impact in my daughter’s young life.

This little anecdote reminded me that we all are influencing others in one way or another. For good or bad, in big or small ways, we have somebody’s attention. By intentionality or in the incidentals, our lives are impacting those around us. Parents, how often have we been rebuked by the actions or words of our children once we realized that they were simply reflecting what they had seen or heard from us?!

Like it or not we all are influencers. As Christians then, let us be careful not to put stumbling blocks in each other’s way; let us be humble to admit and correct our wrong; and let us keep our eyes on Jesus so that our lives can say with the Apostle Paul, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)